Applications are open for the Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2027 (GIJC27) Fellowship in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The programme offers professional journalists an opportunity to attend an international conference, develop investigative reporting skills, learn from experienced journalists, and connect with media professionals from around the world.
Organised by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) in collaboration with the Dutch-Flemish Association of Investigative Journalists (VVOJ), the conference will take place from October 19 to 23, 2027.
The fellowship programme is designed primarily for journalists from the Global South and other historically underrepresented groups. Successful full-fellowship recipients can receive financial support for return airfare, hotel accommodation, conference registration, airport transfers, and specified meals.
Journalists from eligible African countries, including Ghana, are encouraged to review the requirements and apply if they qualify.
The application deadline is January 31, 2027.
Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2027: Overview
About the Global Investigative Journalism Conference
The Global Investigative Journalism Conference is an international gathering that brings together investigative reporters, data journalists, editors, and other media professionals to share knowledge and improve their reporting skills.
The 2027 edition will be held at de Doelen ICC Rotterdam in the Netherlands. It will feature expert panels, practical workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities focused on investigative journalism and innovative reporting methods.
The conference will explore subjects such as:
The event provides an opportunity for journalists to learn practical methods they can apply in their newsrooms and investigations.
Financial Benefits of the GIJC27 Fellowship
Selected applicants who receive a full fellowship can receive the following support:
The organiser is also working to secure funding for additional participants. Depending on available funding, partial fellowships may be offered to some applicants.
Important funding information: The full fellowship does not cover visa fees, daily allowances or transport from your home to your departure airport. Applicants should budget for these expenses themselves.
The number of fellowships available for 2027 has not yet been finalised, and selection is competitive.
Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is intended for professional journalists who can benefit from the conference’s investigative reporting training.
Applicants should review the following requirements before applying.
1. Professional Journalism Experience
The programme is open to professional journalists working in different forms of media, including:
Experience in investigative journalism or data journalism is an advantage.
2. Country of Work or Residence
The fellowship is open to professional journalists in developing or transitioning countries.
GIJN gives priority to journalists from the Global South and historically underrepresented groups. Applicants should consult the organiser’s eligible-country list before applying.
If you are from a country that is not on the list but cannot afford to attend the conference, the organiser encourages you to apply and explain your circumstances in the additional notes section.
3. English Language Skills
Applicants need a working knowledge of English because the conference panels and workshops will be conducted in English.
The fellowship application must also be submitted in English.
4. Commitment to Use the Training
Selected fellows must agree to share or apply the knowledge gained at the conference after returning home.
Following the conference, fellows are required to do one of the following:
Applicants should be prepared to meet this requirement before accepting a fellowship.
5. Ability to Demonstrate Professional Potential
Competition for the fellowship is strong. Applicants should explain how attending the conference will improve their reporting and benefit their work, newsroom, or journalism community.
A strong application should clearly demonstrate the applicant’s professional background, reporting interests, and plans for applying the knowledge gained.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship may be suitable for:
Applicants do not need to assume that the fellowship is open to everyone working in communications. The organiser specifically targets professional journalists, so check the official eligibility criteria carefully.
Why Attend GIJC27?
1. Develop Investigative Reporting Skills
Participants can learn practical techniques for researching complex stories, examining data, using digital tools, and investigating issues of public interest.
2. Learn from Experienced Journalists
The conference brings together experienced reporters, editors, and specialists who share their approaches to investigative journalism and accountability reporting.
3. Build International Connections
Attendees can meet journalists from different countries and explore opportunities for exchanging ideas and collaborating on cross-border investigations.
4. Explore New Journalism Technologies
Sessions will cover emerging tools and techniques, including artificial intelligence, online research, satellite imagery, and data journalism.
5. Share Knowledge with Your Journalism Community
The fellowship’s post-conference requirement encourages recipients to share what they learn with colleagues or the wider journalism community.
Required Documents and Application Preparation
Applicants should carefully read the official fellowship application form and requirements before submitting their applications.
Prepare information that demonstrates:
It is also helpful to have examples of your published journalism available if the application requests them.
Important: Follow the official application form for the exact questions and supporting materials required. Do not rely on unofficial lists of documents.
How to Apply for the Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2027 Fellowship
Applications must be submitted through the official fellowship process.
Step 1: Visit the Official Fellowship Page
Go to the Global Investigative Journalism Network’s official announcement:
GIJC27 Fellowship Application and Details
Step 2: Check the Eligibility Requirements
Confirm that you work as a professional journalist in an eligible developing or transitioning country. Review the eligible-country list and the programme’s language and post-conference requirements.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Open the official application form linked from the announcement and answer all questions accurately.
Explain your journalism experience, your reasons for wanting to attend, and how the conference would help your work.
Step 4: Explain How You Will Use the Training
Give a clear explanation of how you intend to apply what you learn. Remember that fellows are required to produce a related story or deliver a knowledge-sharing presentation after the conference.
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
Submit your application before January 31, 2027. Avoid waiting until the last day in case you encounter technical problems or need to review your answers.
Step 6: Wait for the Selection Outcome
The organiser receives a large number of applications and states that it cannot provide individual updates on every application. Follow the instructions on the official website for further information.
Important Dates
Event | Date |
Fellowship application deadline | January 31, 2027 |
Pre-conference day and welcome reception | October 19, 2027 |
Main conference | October 20–23, 2027 |
Awards ceremony dinner | October 22, 2027 |
Dates and arrangements should be checked against the official conference website before making travel plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2027 fully funded?
Full fellowships cover return airfare, four nights of hotel accommodation, airport transfers, conference registration, and specified meals and conference events. However, visa fees, daily allowances, and transport to and from the applicant’s home-country airport are not covered.
Partial fellowships may also be available.
2. Can journalists from Ghana apply?
Ghanaian journalists can consider applying because the programme prioritises journalists from the Global South. Applicants should check the organiser’s eligible-country list and meet all other requirements.
3. Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes. The organiser specifically includes freelance journalists among the eligible professional categories.
4. Do I need investigative journalism experience?
Experience in investigative or data journalism is an advantage. However, the published eligibility criteria are broader and include professional journalists working across different media formats.
Applicants should explain their experience and professional interests clearly.
5. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is January 31, 2027.
6. Does the fellowship pay for a Netherlands visa?
No. The organiser states that visa fees are not included in the fellowship. Applicants should budget for their visa expenses and check the relevant Dutch visa requirements.
7. Does the fellowship cover all meals and daily expenses?
No. The full fellowship covers specified meals, including breakfast on conference days, lunch on full conference days, the opening cocktail reception, and the awards dinner. It does not include a daily allowance for other expenses.
8. What must fellows do after the conference?
Fellows must either produce a story directly related to GIJC27 or give a presentation to colleagues or the wider journalism community based on what they learned.
9. Is there an application fee?
The official fellowship announcement does not list an application fee. Apply through the official GIJN website and be cautious of anyone asking for money in exchange for selection.
Final Thoughts
The Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2027 Fellowship in the Netherlands is an opportunity for professional journalists to develop their investigative reporting skills, learn from international experts, and build connections with colleagues from different countries.
Journalists from Ghana and other eligible African countries should review the requirements, prepare a strong application, and explain how the training could improve their reporting and benefit their journalism community.
Remember that full fellowships cover major travel and conference expenses, but applicants must budget for visa fees, daily expenses, and transport to and from their home-country airport.
Application deadline: January 31, 2027.
Apply Through the Official Website
Official fellowship announcement:
https://gijn.org/stories/gijc2027-fellowship-application/
Official conference website:
https://gijc2027.org/fellowships/
